Indian cuisine is complex. Intense flavors and heavily spiced, these dishes can make pairing wine seem like a daunting task. When it comes to Tandoori Chicken, however, the plethora of spices and tangy yogurt served alongside it makes it a perfect candidate for wine pairing.
Named for the clay tandoor oven in which it’s traditionally cooked, this classic dish consists of roasted chicken marinated in yogurt and seasoned with chili powder, garam masala, turmeric, and paprika. The array of spices and the tandoor oven it’s cooked in give the Tandoori Chicken a smoky, earthy essence that is mild but full of flavor.
Best Red Wine to Pair With Tandoori Chicken
It’s generally thought that you always pair chicken with white wine, but the smoky element of tandoori chicken pairs nicely with reds, as well. A light to medium bodied savory red will make a great match to this dish. Be sure to avoid anything higher in tannins as the tannins will clash with the flavors of this dish.
- Cabernet Franc; medium body with tart fruit flavors, similar to Pinot Noir.
- Pinot Noir; always a popular choice; light on body, high on aromatics.
- Beaujolais; also known as Gamay, light, low tannins.
- Grenache; floral with strong berry flavor and notes of citrus.
Best White Wine to Pair With Tandoori Chicken
If white wine is your go to, try to select a wine that is a bit on the sweeter side and maybe add some bubbles. This will allow you to appreciate the dish’s earthy flavors without overpowering it.
- Off-Dry Riesling; Lightly sweet, crisp and refreshingly acidic.
- Pinot Blanc; very light, and floral with notes of citrus and peach.
- Gewürztraminer; rich bouquet of exotic fruits, spices and rose tones.
- Sparkling Rosé; bubbly with bright acidity and a strong berry flavor.
Pairing Wine With Butter Chicken
Pairing Wine With Chicken Tikka Masala
Pairing Wine With Chicken Biryani
Pairing Wine With Tandoori Chicken
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.